Reviews You Can Rely On

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks Review

This spoon-fork-chopstick hybrid's bulky design renders it best for front-country fun
gearlab tested logo
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks Review (GSI Outdoors Kung Foon)
GSI Outdoors Kung Foon
Credit: GSI Outdoors
Price:  $15 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   GSI Outdoors
By Leslie Yedor ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 7, 2024
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 10
  • Eating - 35% 6.0
  • Durability - 30% 7.0
  • Cooking - 20% 7.0
  • Cleaning - 15% 7.0
RELATED: Best Spork

Our Verdict

The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks is more than your average fork-spoon hybrid utensil. With integrated chopsticks, it doubles as an extra long cooking tool or disassembles into two independent pieces of silverware. While clever in design, this product is unnecessarily bulky and heavy. However, if you're not carrying it far into the backcountry, it's a great set.
REASONS TO BUY
Transforms into multiple utensils
Durable metal
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Poor ergonomics

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall
Top Pick Award
Best for Ultralight Backpacking
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang For Your Buck
Price $15.00 List$8.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$12.00 List
$11.95 at Amazon
$8.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$4.49 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
67
86
81
79
65
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line While a bit too heavy for deep backcountry use, this utensil combines 3 pieces of cutlery into oneThe best model for your on-the-go meal needsThis model has an exceptionally low weight and top-notch durability, making it the ideal backcountry utensilA great option for the backcountry due to its comfortable and lightweight designThis sturdy plastic model offers the best price to performance ratio
Rating Categories GSI Outdoors Glacie... Snow Peak Titanium... Vargo Titanium ULV Toaks Titanium humangear GoBites Uno
Eating (35%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
Durability (30%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Cooking (20%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Cleaning (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Specs GSI Outdoors Glacie... Snow Peak Titanium... Vargo Titanium ULV Toaks Titanium humangear GoBites Uno
Material Stainless steel, wood Titanium Titanium Titanium High-temp nylon
Measured weight (oz) 1.8 oz 0.6 oz 0.3 oz 0.6 oz 0.5 oz
Length 10.7" 6.5" 6.5" 6.625" 6.5"
Dishwasher safe? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Top rack recommended

Our Analysis and Test Results

There isn't much you can't eat when armed with chopsticks, a fork, and a spoon. The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks packs a punch and delivers all three culinary tools in a single device. Weighing in at nearly 2 ounces and reaching 10.5 inches when combined, this was the heaviest and longest model we tested. While it's good for car camping, it's not worth its weight in the backcountry.

Performance Comparison


gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - the spork and sticks combine to make an ultra-long utensil.
The Spork and Sticks combine to make an ultra-long utensil.
Credit: Leslie Yedor

Eating


This product was designed for chopstick lovers. It handles food like any classic set and was wonderful to have when eating noodles. The stainless steel spork, on the other hand, was cumbersome. The metal handle curves to allow the chopsticks to be securely inserted, but the shape makes holding the handle without the chopsticks uncomfortable. The tines are also tiny and close together which impedes its fork-like function of stabbing food.

gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - chopsticks and ramen were meant for each other and this pair was no...
Chopsticks and ramen were meant for each other and this pair was no exception.
Credit: Nicky Bunn

Durability


The metal portion of this model is considerably hefty, rendering it practically indestructible. The chopsticks, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. Thinner than traditional chopsticks, this pair is prone to breaking, particularly in a rugged backcountry environment. Unfortunately, the unique shape of these chopsticks is required for combining this product and the manufacturer does not sell replacement chopsticks.

gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - try as we might, the robust metal portion of this product wouldn't...
Try as we might, the robust metal portion of this product wouldn't break or bend.
Credit: Nicky Bunn

Cooking


Although we liked the added reach of the extended configuration, it felt flimsy in hand and occasionally came apart with vigorous stirring. A non-stick pan is no match for this competitor. One pass across the non-stick surface and it left a deeper gouge than any of the other models we tested.

gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - the added length keeps fingers far above whatever's cooking.
The added length keeps fingers far above whatever's cooking.
Credit: Leslie Yedor

Alone, the chopsticks excelled at cooking and made a great addition to a camp kitchen. They also won't scratch your non-stick pans. If you have space, try bringing a pair on your next backpacking trip, but opt for one of our other contenders as your accompanying utensil.

Cleaning


The smooth titanium surface of the spork made cleaning a simple task, but the wood chopsticks were a different matter. Food particles clung to the unfinished wood making them difficult to rinse clean. The teeny tiny holes at the tops of the chopsticks also accumulated food that we still haven't figured out how to remove without a needle.

gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - the little holes at the tops of the chopsticks can be pesky to keep...
The little holes at the tops of the chopsticks can be pesky to keep clean.
Credit: Leslie Yedor

Value


If you're a chopstick lover, this is a great buy, but it's also one of the most expensive models of all of the products we tested. There are more other contenders that are a bit more practical and affordable.

gsi outdoors glacier stainless spork and sticks - if you're in the market for a long utensil or one that includes...
If you're in the market for a long utensil or one that includes chopsticks, the Stainless Spork and Sticks could be the one for you.
Credit: Leslie Yedor

Conclusion


The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks was better than many competing products, but it didn't blow our socks off. While it scored slightly above average in every category, it was just too middle of the road to take home any awards.

Leslie Yedor
 
You Might Also Like